THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE

NOMET H E R E ’ S N O P L A C E L I K E

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NOMET H E R E ’ S N O P L A C E L I K E

4 WELCOME TO NOME!

5 SUPER-SIZED ADVENTURE

6 MUSKOXEN MASCOTS

8 A BIRDER’S DELIGHT

10 NATIVE CULTURE

12 IDITAROD TRAIL

14 GOLD RUSH HISTORY

15 MILITARY HISTORY

16 NOME CITY MAP

19 FISHING FEVER

21 SUBSISTING OFF THE LAND

22 BUSINESS DIRECTORY

This is a publication provided by the

NOME CHAMBER OF COMMERCE301 Front St.Nome, AK 99762(907) [email protected]

COVER PHOTO by Leon Boardway

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS: Ken Hughes, Leon Boardway, Tom Gray, Sue Steinacher, Wild Alaska Adventure Rentals, Jim Dory, Barb Goozen, Robin Johnson

WRITER: Melissa DeVaughn

ADVERTISING: Jill Tillion

DESIGNER AND PUBLISHER: Alaska Adventure Media

2 019 N O M E V I S I T O R S G U I D E 3

Welc� e to � r t� nWhat a pleasure to welcome you to Nome, Alaska!

If you’ve just arrived in Nome, you are in for a treat! Nome’s beginning in one sense goes back almost 120 years, to 1898 and the begin-ning of the Gold Rush, and in another sense dates back well over 10,000 years to a time when there was a land bridge from Asia to North America, called Beringia.

Many of the Alaska Natives in Nome are Inupiaq, with some St. Lawrence Island Yupik and Yup’ik Eskimo. Eskimo values and traditions are at the heart of Nome: family, respect of elders, respect for culture and individuality combined with a never-ending respect of the land and sea. Many live a subsistence lifestyle hunting sea mammals, moose and caribou; � shing for numerous species of � sh; and collecting greens and berries throughout the spring, summer and fall.

With the discovery of gold in Anvil Creek in 1898 by the “� ree Lucky Swedes,” Nome’s population quickly rose to almost 28,000 at the peak of the Gold Rush. Due to the hard work and harsh environment few miners struck it rich and most did not.

Today the population is about 3,800 and I am very proud to be the mayor of this histo-ry-rich city. Today we are in a kind of second gold rush. � e price of gold has been rela-tively high for a number of years, and there is a successful reality television series, which has drawn once again many eager men and women to the beaches of Nome. If you are one, please check in with the Nome Visitor’s Center on Front Street (and on-line at www.visitnomealaska.com) to get details on who to contact before you start mining.

When you are at the Visitor Center you will also � nd many other gems to explore in both Nome and on our 350 miles of road system leading you to three di� erent directions with all encouraging you to feel the expanse and volume of Beringia. You will experience the same sky witnessed in awe for over 10,000 years, now occupied throughout the spring and fall with countless migratory birds on the global routes on an endless cycle of life. Out there you will have one of the only opportunities to see � rsthand the prehistoric looking muskox (see page 6).

Now that the land bridge is a distant memory, the region is looking at new modern acces-sibility of the Bering Strait region once again as more private vessels — as well as science exploration, military commerce and tour ships — are � nding their way through the North-west Passage pioneered by Roald Amundsen.

Here we have a rich history, particularly around dog mushing. Once a lifestyle for normal transportation and commerce, a singular event to bring diphtheria vaccines to Nome transformed an everyday tool into a testament of both men and dogs’ resolve to rescue their fellow man. � is 1925 race against death evolved into today’s Iditarod. � e Iditarod has turned into the “Last Great Race” sporting event enjoyed and followed worldwide.

Nome has been a strategic location for many global events throughout history, and we are looking to expand our port facilities and become one of the region’s deep-water ports for both Alaskan and global enterprises.

We invite and welcome you to our wonderful city and know you will enjoy our many cultures with amazing people and you will take with you our golden sentiment “� ere’s No Place Like Nome.”

We o� er you a warm and sincere welcome!

Richard Beneville, MayorPaul G. Kosto, Director Chamber of Commerce

Nome, Alaska

Welc� e to � r t� n

back almost 120 years, to 1898 and the begin- Mayor Richard Beneville

4 2 019 N O M E V I S I T O R S G U I D E

SUPER-SIZED ADVENTURE

SENDING AN INSTAGRAM-WORTHY photo standing by a glacier or riding in a dogsled can be easily misleading for those who can’t see the rest of the image. Zoom out a little from those closely cropped photos and you might see the city skyline in the background, or a highway just a few feet away. In large cities like Anchorage and Fairbanks, these awe-inducing moments can be enjoyed just minutes from your hotel room. But in Nome, yet another level of adventure is added to, well, the adventure. Just getting to this far-flung city is a unique opportunity all its own, but then stretch your limitations even further, and there’s just no end to what can be experienced here. “Just arriving in Nome is the high point for many people,” said Paul Kosto, Nome Chamber of Commerce’s executive director. “But we have many activities, from biking to paddling to mountain running. And then there is Iditarod,” which he added, doesn’t get more adventurous than that. Ken Hughes is a longtime Nome resident who has tried it all. One of the most adventurous events he gets excited about takes place in the winter. “It’s called the Nome-Golovin 200, which is a snowmobile race down the coast to Golovin and back,” he said. “The record time is a few seconds shy of two hours” – faster than any vehicle could ever drive the course he added, especially considering there is no roadway to get there. Hughes has done the race 13 times, but says these days he likes to take it easier. Still, he added, the race is adrenaline-inducing and offers a perspective on the region that can only be gained by going into the wild.

In the summer, there are countless options

for adventure, too, he added. Paragliding

can be had just a few miles from town. Most

enthusiasts go off Anvil Mountain, about three

miles away.

“The launch site is near an old World War

II-era White Alice site,” he said. “The landing

spot is usually on old Glacier Creek Road.”

Other activities include Stand Up Paddle

boarding, pack rafting, cycling and mountain

running. The Anvil Mountain Run is held July 4

and challenges runners to follow an out-and-

back course that covers about 17 kilometers

and more than 1,100 feet of elevation gain.

Competitors must complete the course within

five hours to receive their finisher’s certificate,

and trophies are awarded to the overall,

first woman and winner in the 50 years or

older category. (For more information on the

Independence Day event, which is part of a

day of festivities, contact Leo Rasmussen at

907-443-2919).

For those who want to experience a little

outdoors adventure, stop by the Visitor Center

at 301 Front St., in downtown Nome. They can

direct you to local outfitters or do-it-yourself

destinations ranging from biking to swimming

(yes, it can be a real adventure to swim in

the frigid Bering Sea!) to sea kayaking or lake

canoeing.

Kigluaik Endurance Company rents fat bikes

— contact them at www.kigluaikendurance.com

Nome Outfitters, at 120 W. First Ave., is also

a good resource for do-it-yourself adventure.

Call them at 907-443-2880 or stop by to

check out their camping supplies and other

outdoor gear, such as fishing tackle, in stock.

Go “beyond out there” to explore remote Nome

Pack rafting in Nome is a popular way to explore the area, especially on a

crystal clear day like this.

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ALASKA IS A VAST PLACE, COVERED IN HIGH MOUNTAINS, glacial fjords, winding rivers and millions upon millions of bodies of water – from small ponds to massive lakes. Roaming all of these wild places are the animals that call Alaska home. From wolves in their forested dens to polar bears on the frozen sea ice, there is no shortage of opportunity to experience this magical collision of wilderness and wildlife together. Visiting Nome is where you’ll be almost guaranteed to see some of Alaska’s amazing wildlife, namely the muskox. “Nome is one of the few places in Alaska where you can get off a jet plane and see a muskox within 15 minutes,” said Paul Kosto, executive director of the Nome Chamber of Commerce. In fact, Kosto said, the muskoxen, since their migration into the Nome area, have become somewhat of a local fixture. “We are really almost making the muskox a quasi mascot here,” he said. “It’s very unique to Nome that we have this sort of animal so close and accessible.” If you’ve never seen a muskox up close, the best – and safest – way to view

them is from a distance. Start by stopping by the Nome Visitors Center to get a full appreciation of their size and stature. “We have a muskox in our visitors center, and you can see just how big it really is,” Kosto said of the taxidermied muskox there. “It’s impressive.” In real life, muskox appear to be quite docile, and most of the time they are. But a giant muskox can run surprisingly fast if bothered. So viewing them from afar is the best way to appreciate them. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game created “Alaska’s Nome Area Wildlife Viewing Guide” that Kosto says is available in the visitors center. It not only includes tips for viewing muskox, but also the other plentiful wildlife that live in the region. Grizzly bears, Arctic fox and moose are among some of the local inhabitants in the area. But muskoxen remain a unique and special part of the Nome area, appreciated even more today because they once were nearly wiped out. “They were hunted to extinction on this continent in the late 1800s,” Kosto says. “So

MUSKOXEN MASCOTS

Nome one of the only places to see these behemoths up close

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we are lucky today to have them here.” In 1930, conservationists reintroduced 34 muskoxen from Greenland to Fairbanks, eventually transferring the herd to Nunivak Island, in the Bering Sea, where they thrived and multiplied. By 1968, the herd had grown to 750 animals. In 1971 and 1980, muskoxen were brought to the Seward Peninsula and by 2000, almost 4,000 muskoxen were recorded across the state. On the Seward Peninsula alone, there are an estimated 2,000 wild muskoxen, accounting for half of the state’s wild population. If you want to see muskoxen in the wild, the best chances for viewing are by driving one of the three roads leading out of Nome – the Teller, Kougarok or Council roads. Muskoxen are in rut in the fall, and you may see males acting more aggressively than normal. The calving season is April through June, so beware protective mothers with calves. Look for the muskoxen on the plains and tundra fl ats during summer months, when they will fatten themselves on sedges, grasses and berries; or on mountain slopes, where groups of them will feed along side slopes and rub their wooly coats along the willow branches and shrubs, eff ectively “brushing” themselves. This passage in the Fish and Game guidebook describes how muskoxen groom themselves: “Groups of muskoxen often leave wisps and wads of their soft underfur—called “qiviut”—hanging in the willow branches. Occasionally, during the fi rst warm days of spring, they will comb out larger clumps of shedding fur by pushing through dense willow thickets.” The Kougarok Road is a great destination for seeing muskoxen, as their favorite hangout is ridgelines and hilltops, where they can scan the horizon and enjoy the breeze. They especially hang out in this area during winter, because the

Be safe when viewing muskoxen● Even though muskoxen may appear docile and allow you to get close, resist the urge. They are powerful animals and will react surprisingly fast if they feel threatened in their space. View them from at least 150 feet away. ● A muskox that has stopped feeding, walk-ing, or resting is being disturbed, which means it may be agitated. If it sways its head from side to sign, that is a warning. Retreat quickly to avoid confrontation. ● Observe muskoxen from a safe distance. Retreat if they form a defensive line or circle; this is another sign that they are stressed. ● Do not approach females with their young. ● Bull muskoxen are more aggressive during the fall breeding season from August through October. Avoid disturbing males in rut. ● Keep pets under control at all times in muskox country. ● If you are charged, run and seek safety. Do not stand your ground. ● Muskoxen will stand their ground, making it diffi cult to drive them from an area. ● Feeding muskoxen is illegal, not to mention very dangerous.

— Source Alaska Department of Fish and Game

wind blows the snow free from the ridges, making it easier for them to walk. For more information on muskoxen or any other wildlife in the area – marine mammals are also a special treat to see – stop by the visitors center, or check out the Alaska Department of Fish and Game’s Wildlife Viewing Guide at www.adfg.alaska.gov/static/viewing/pdfs/nome_guidebook.pdf.

A BIRDER’S DELIGHT

Nome is a crossroads for rare and plentiful avian species

ALTHEA HUGHES WAS ON THE ROAD to Council with her birding friends, and they stopped at a bridge where the tide pushed sea ice up into the river. All week, Althea and her friends had been birding along Nome’s extensive road system, and this moment would become a memory she cherishes more than a decade later. “While we were on the edge of the river looking at all this, we noticed that there was a falcon up under the bridge, and the falcon was nesting up there under the bridge,” said Hughes, who at age 90 still enjoys birding from her home near Gakona, Alaska. That moment, and several others during her two birding trips to Nome, remain the high points of her bird-watching passion. Nome is one of the best places in Alaska to seek out bird species because of its wide-open spaces, its proximity to the Bering Sea, and a road system that provides easy access to a wide variety of habitats—including tussock tundra, rivers, lakes, long stretches of marine zones, alpine areas, and boreal forest. With more than 160 species inhabiting the region and another 40 or so that

occasionally visit, an avid birder can spend a long weekend and likely check off dozens of species on their life lists. “Nome is a great destination for birders because it lies at the crossroads of the Bering Strait, bringing individuals from some Eurasian species to northwest Alaska annually for breeding and nesting – the cycle during which birds are in their most striking plumage,” said Carol Gales, a Nome birder and owner of Roam Nome, a new business offering guiding for birders as well as day hikes and snowshoe outings. “Birders are also drawn to Nome for the occasional individual that lost its way during migration to make a surprise showing in the region, such as the common cuckoo, a Eurasian bird, seen just 10 miles from Nome for a few days in 2018.” Hughes said she was lucky. Because her son lives in the region, she and her friends had a personal guide, but renting a vehicle or hiring a local guide are other options. Check at the Nome Visitor Center for details – www.visitnomealaska.com. “The openness and the broad expanse of the countryside, and with the three available

The bristle-thighed curlew is a much sought-after species to spot when

birding in the Nome area.

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highways, it just made for a nice trip for us,” she added. Spring is the best time to visit for birding, and the uptick in business is noted as early as late May, when birds are arriving. “They’re loudly claiming and defending territories, and seeking mates,” Gales said. “Plan your trip in advance, as lodging and rental vehicles can become hard to fi nd during those times.” Also be prepared for spring snow conditions, which could mean some of Nome’s three roads won’t be open yet. Gales said birders in search of the McKay’s bunting, a popular life-list achievement, can reliably fi nd that species (which breeds only on Bering Strait islands and migrates to the mainland for the winter) in the Nome area from December through mid-March. “There is a fairly large impact birding has on Nome’s tourism and economy every year,” said Nome Chamber of Commerce president Paul Kosto. “There are people who come from all over the world to view the birds here in the spring, throughout the

summer, and into the fall. These people rent rooms, vehicles, tour packages, eat at the restaurants, buy groceries, and contribute greatly to our economy.” If there is one species that seems to be in high demand, though, both Hughes and Gales say it’s the bristle-thighed curlew. “The bristle-thighed curlew winters on Pacifi c islands and is known to breed only in two areas in western Alaska,” Gales says. “Another target species is the bluethroat, which otherwise breeds across Europe and Asia and spends the rest of the year in Africa and southern Asia. Watching a bluethroat displaying on a sunny day is a thrill!” Hughes wasn’t lucky enough to see the bristle-thighed curlew, but she did glimpse a bluethroat. “That’s a rare bird for that area, and it was a thrilling thing to see that,” she said. “We were also able to see a yellow wagtail in the Nome area, and in 2006 we drove up the road to Teller and saw a white wagtail – that was something diff erent. It was in someone’s dog yard having a lunch. So that was fun.”

Plan a birding outing The Nome Chamber of Commerce, through the Nome Visitor Center (www.visitnomealaska.com), works to assist birders and track the species they have observed and would like to see. The Visitor Center becomes a focal point every year for visitors to come check the log entries from others who have been out looking for and at birds. The University of Alaska Fairbanks Northwest campus off ers three Saturday fi eld trips during spring migration, one on each of Nome’s three roads. The trips are usually scheduled for the last weekend of May and fi rst two weekends of June. Contact North-west Campus for information at 907-443-2201. Find the Alaska Department of Fish and Game birding list at https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/static/viewing/birds/pdfs/nome_bird_checklist.pdf A great source of information about Nome area birds and habitats is Alaska’s Nome Area Wildlife Viewing Guide, at https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/static/viewing/pdfs/nome_guidebook.pdf

>> Nome is one of the best places in Alaska to seek out bird species because of its wide-open spaces, the proximity to the Bering Sea and a road system that allows drivers to easily access places that would be near impossible to reach in most remote regions.

Swans in Solomon.

Althea Hughes and her son Ken Hughes birding near Solomon.


NATIVE CULTURE

Local guide champions Alaska Native culture BEFORE THERE WERE HOTELS AND RESTAURANTS, before gold mines, and before there was even a single Caucasian resident, Nome was a land of Alaska Natives living a subsistence lifestyle and depending upon the land for their survival. The Inupi-aq, Central Yup’ik and St. Lawrence Island Yupik Eskimo history of the area dates back some 4,000 to 6,000 years, with evidence of human inhabitation going back nearly 10,000 years. The people here hunted sea mammals and inland wildlife, and picked berries and greens. They harvested and dried salmon and they traveled by dog team between villages. Today, those very same things are still happening, despite Nome’s growth as one of the main hubs in western Alaska. Nome’s population stands at about 3,800 residents, more than half of whom are Alaska Native or of Alaska Native descent. Tom Gray, who has lived in White Mountain and Nome his entire life, is trying to make sure his Native life-style is not forgotten. Not only does he offer hunting, fishing and birding trips to everyday travelers to the region, but he also stresses the importance of learning a little about the Native way of living while here. “One of the things that I want to do is involve people in our Native culture,” said Gray, who with his wife runs a fishing lodge, leads hunting trips, offers birding outings and develops custom trips for those who want to

experience what life is like for Alaska Natives who still live a subsistence lifestyle. “We will go see the northern lights, go set a crab pot, see the sea ice and see seals, have a crab feed, go to a hot springs, have a Native food dinner, go to a fish camp, see fish hanging and drying and canning,” he adds. “Whatever is in season, we can get you there.” Gray said the goal of his trips is twofold – not only does he strive to make a living in Nome, but he also wants to spread an appreciation for the rich diversity of the land, and the people who subsist on it. These day-to-day moments – like going to fish camp to catch, dry and can salmon – are common-place for those like Gray who have grown up in Nome and gone to fish camp every year of their lives. But for those visiting Nome, seeing the way salmon are gathered and harvested is the opportunity of a lifetime. Locally, Gray is involved is spreading the rich culture of the region too. In Nome, many of the teachers at the schools are hired from outside of Alaska, so when they arrive so far away from home, they often know little about the area. So he hosts a culture camp for teachers who want to gain continuing edu-cation credits, and he said he loves watching the teachers get fired up about the lessons. “Probably 80 percent of them are like, ‘Let’s get our hands dirty.’ They want to dive

An insider’s experience

Guests experience what it is like to harvest salmon.

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right in,” he said. “They learn about our culture, and it helps them become better teachers too.” Gray is admittedly not going to put on Native dances or sing Native songs – he said his focus is more about the day-to-day lifestyle, sharing with visitors how Alaska Natives live off the land – he will take visitors berry picking, let them ob-serve subsistence fi shing with personal-use nets (laws prohibit direct participation), and even take visitors out in his boat to observe beluga whale hunting. The key, he said, is to ensure that each visitor experiences an authentic slice of life, not one pre-packaged or planned in advance. “Native culture is a lifestyle I want them to be involved in,” he said “If somebody calls me and says, ‘I want to come to Nome, what can we do?’ we do what’s in season. If it’s winter, we might catch king crab; if it’s summer, we might process salmon – it all depends on the season and what we are doing at that time.” Once, Gray said, he had three visitors from France who wanted to fi nd some ivory carvings. Because Gray has so many connections within his community, he was able to meet their needs perfectly. Rather than go to a shop, he drove them straight to the source. “We went to Elim and we went to a carver’s house and looked at carvings,” he said. “You don’t just get to go inside people’s houses any-time you want.” For more information on Gray, and his cus-tom tours, contact him at [email protected] or (907) 304-2003. The site is mostly about his fi shing trips, but remember – no two trips are the same, so he is just waiting to create your custom cultural experience.

Learn more For other ways to experience and appre-ciate Nome’s Native culture, stop by the visitors center at 301 Front St., for information and handouts on activities throughout the summer. ● Consider timing your visit to coin-cide with the Savoonga Walrus Festival (May or June), the Shishmaref Carni-val (late April) or the Gambell Whaling Festival (July). All of these events bring the surrounding communities together to celebrate their heritage and the bounty of the land. ● The visitors center can also point travelers to local shops and businesses that feature locally made artwork. Nome off ers a variety of stores with excellent Alaskan gifts such as sealskin slippers, mukluks, grass baskets, Alaskan art, Eskimo dolls and numerous ivory, jade or soapstone carvings. ● Another good place to meet locals is at the XYZ Center, an activity center for Nome’s elders. There, they host lunch at noon weekdays. Call ahead for lunch – el-ders eat free but others are asked to pay a small fee. On Fridays, the menu features local foods such as berries, reindeer and salmon, and often, there are arts and crafts for sale. Call (907) 443-5238.

Relaxing in local hot springs.

2 019 N O M E V I S I T O R S G U I D E 1 1

THE IDITAROD TRAIL SLED DOG RACE is an iconic tradition in Alaska, a canine-hu-man exhibition of cooperative racing that challenges even the fittest of animals and hu-mans. Each year, at the beginning of March, mushers and sled dogs gather for the race’s start in Anchorage and then spend the next nine to 14 days racing across some of the most beautiful yet challenging terrain in Alaska. Their destination: Nome. As the frontrunners come down Front Street and pass their teams under the giant burled arch set up at the finish line, there are countless spectators there to cheer them onto victory. In the 2019 race, for instance, Bethel musher Pete Kaiser made it to the finish first, covering the 1,000-plus mile course in 9 days, 12 hours, 39 minutes and 6 seconds. He was the first Yup’ik Alaskan to win the race on a trail that was once a vital link for year-round mail and freight service to western Alaska miners more than 100 years ago. Today’s Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race cele-brates that history, particularly the events of

the winter of 1925, when a deadly diphtheria outbreak in Nome necessitated an urgent need for life-saving serum. Ice-bound Nome had no way of receiving the medicine, which was in Anchorage. Quick-thinking Alaskans created a relay of dog teams spread over hundreds of miles of trail, starting in Nenana, as far as the newly constructed Alaska Rail-road engines could take the medicine. From there, dog teams took over, with a new team taking over at every village. The story has a successful ending. The 20 mushers and their teams took six days to cover 700 miles, and the serum arrived in time to save hundreds of lives, according to historians. Because the conditions were so challenging, with blizzards and temperatures plunging into the negatives, the serum run received press coverage the world over, and two of its many lead sled dogs, Balto and Togo, are still revered today. The first Iditarod race to Nome started March 3, 1973, and the event has grown ever since. Today, while still celebrating its heri-tage, the race also showcases the incredible amount of work, training and mental tough-

IDITAROD TRAIL

Nome is where the celebration begins for the Last Great Race

Iditarod’s last stop P

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ness required of both musher and canine as their athletic skills are challenged from the moment they leave the starting chute. Travelers from the world over come to Nome to watch the teams come in. According to the Nome Convention and Visitors Bureau, “During the finish of the race Nome’s population grows by approximately 1,000 people and turns Nome into what peo-ple everywhere warmly refer to as the ‘Mardi Gras of the North.’ With hundreds of events to participate in and the ability to rub elbows with some of the most notorious names in the dog mushing industry, the finish of the

Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in Nome is an event not to be missed.” For dog lovers and mushing enthusiasts, there are several opportunities to follow the race. The first stop is checking out the Nome Convention and Visitors Bureau website, visitnomealaska.com, which lists lodging op-portunities and day trips (book early because everything fills up fast!), or go to Iditarod.com, for detailed information on racers, race routes, weather and other pertinent details. One company, Sky Trekking Alaska, based in Wasilla, even offers custom air and land tours to follow the Iditarod from start to finish.


GOLD RUSH

TEN YEARS AFTER PROSPECTORS FIRST struck gold in California, the search for these shiny flecks worth a fortune continued, bring-ing hopeful gold-seekers thousands of miles north to Alaska. And with a frenzy similar to that of the California Gold Rush, it wasn’t long before Nome found a place on the prospect-ing map. The “Three Lucky Swedes ” – two pros-pectors from Sweden and one from Norway – are credited with finding the first significant amounts of gold in Alaska – off Anvil Creek in September 1898. Because of the gold’s abun-dance, word spread and before long Nome blossomed to a large city with more than 20,000 hopefuls. Prospectors flocked to the area, scouring the creeks, hillsides and even the beaches for evidence of gold. Visiting Nome is not complete without at least a cursory examination of the Gold Rush’s significance to the town’s history and how it operates today. In fact, gold mining and quarrying is still a large economic driver in the region accounting for seven times the average number of workers expected for a town of this size, according to the research company DataUSA. To learn more about mining’s history and significance, visit the Carrie M. McLain Me-morial Museum, which features a long-term exhibition called Nome: Hub of Cultures and Communities Across the Bering Strait. The exhibit includes more than 50 community

collaborators, who participated in interviews, shared stories, and contributed photographs. Among the exhibition’s five main themes that address topics of Arctic concern is mining – along with subsistence and the environment, the built landscape, transportation, and sus-tainability. Another way to appreciate the region’s gold-mining history is by driving along any one of the three main roads leading out of Nome to see one of the 40-plus remains of old gold dredges parked within view of the roads like broken-down vehicles. These huge pieces of equipment were key to the thriving mining community that called Nome home. One of the most popular dredges to see is the Swanberg Dredge, within walking distance from downtown Nome, if you head east from Front Street for about a mile. Or watch mining in action by simply walk-ing along Nome’s beaches, where dredges are still filtering out the gold from the Bering Sea. The popular Discovery Channel show, “Bering Sea Gold,” is set here, and dredges from the show are lined along the beaches for visitors to check out. Finally, immerse yourself into the world of mining by trying your own hand at gold-pan-ning, an entertaining sampling of just how much work goes into extracting gold from the land. Contact the Nome Visitors Center at (907) 443-6555 to find out more on gold-pan-ning opportunities.

Gold mining’s past is also Nome’s present

The gift of gold

The Swanberg Dredge is an old dredge located just a mile from town on the Council Road. It was built in San Francisco and put into operation in 1946 yet hasn’t been used in decades. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2001, and the local preservation committee recently received funding to fix it up for visitors to see. It contrasts starkly with the new Nome hospital in the background, which opened in 2013.

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FOR A TOWN KNOWN FOR ITS GOLD mining past – it’s easy to overlook Nome’s place in Alaska’s military history. Gold mining is what put Nome in the headlines for the rest of the world to see, but at certain times over the last century, Nome’s military was prized even more than a bar of gold. This area was part of a line of defense against invading Japanese and Russians, depending on the decade. Today, remnants of Nome’s military histo-ry can still be seen throughout town – from the highly visible White Alice site located atop Anvil Mountain, to remains of Fort Da-vis, where once some 180 troops were sent to keep peace during the Gold Rush. The former Marks Air Force Base – now the Nome Airport – played a vital role during World War II, when the fear of attack on the United States was at its highest. Dutch Harbor had already been bombed in June 1942, so troops along Alaska’s outer reaches were doing their best to keep another attack at bay. At one time, more than 2,000 airmen were assembled in Nome, at the ready to defend against the Japanese were they to attack. During the Cold War, Nome also was a key

location for monitoring against Soviet attack. The Distant Early Warning, or DEW, line radar sites were constructed throughout the Arctic Circle to warn of any impending Soviet mis-sile attacks. Structures known as White Alice antennas were assembled to help spread the word along the DEW line of any attacks. The White Alice sites – which were once found throughout Alaska – were active until the 1970s, when they were replaced by newer satellite technology. The White Alice site in Nome is the last of the remaining antennas. The White Alice antennas are perched atop Anvil Mountain and almost impossible to miss because they are so large, even from a distance. Up close, they are huge – about five stories tall. The best place to learn more about Nome’s military history – it goes as far back to the 1900 Gold Rush, when Fort Davis developed to keep fighting gold miners from killing each other – is the Carrie M. McLain Memorial Museum, located on Seventh Avenue. Here, you can learn about the area’s culture, history, art and other bits of histor-ical information. Admission is $4 for adults and $3 for children and elders.

Military presence helped shape today’s Nome

MILITARY HISTORY

Line of defense

Abandoned White Alice site sitting above Nome


NOME, ALASKA


PHOTOS CREDITS CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS, LEON BOARDWAY & NOME CHAMBER OF COMMERCE


Sponsor A Flag

The Nome Chamber of CommerceNome Alaska VFW Post #9569

Proudly bring to Nome a Sponsor A Flag program.In July of 2018, through a generous one-time gift to VFW Post #9569 we were able to purchase for Nome the United States flags we now see on FrontStreet. In an effort to establish a tradition of flying the State of Alaska and United States flags more often throughout the year we are giving individualsand businesses an opportunity to participate in an annual program to raise funding to purchase flags and hardware. This will be an annual Sponsorship andwe will accept donations throughout the year. Each flag flying today with the associated hardware cost $75. Below is a form you can fill out and return with a Sponsor Donation.

Choose your Sponsorship Level:SALUTE $25 HONOR $50 REMEMBRANCE $75 MEMORIAL $100

Name of Sponsor: ___________________________________In Remembrance of: ______________________________________

What days would you like to see our flags flown: ______________________________________

Please submit this ad with your Sponsor Donation to:Nome Chamber of Commerce, PO Box 250, or 113 Front Street Suite 100 (Post Office building), Nome Alaska, 99762.

308 BERING ST. NOME,ALASKA(907) 387-0654

[email protected] www.pingobakery-seafoodhouse.com

P.O. Box 994 • Nome, AK 99762


FISHINGFEVER

IF THERE IS ONE THING FOR WHICH ALASKA is known, it is world-class salmon fi shing. From the tip of Southeast Alaska, to as far north as – you guessed it – Nome, salmon fi shing is nothing short of spectacular. But with so much geographical acreage to choose from, what sets Nome’s salmon fi shing apart from the others? The answer is: Just about everything. “There are no crowds,” says Paul Kosto, executive director the Nome Chamber of Commerce. “There is salmon fi shing for all fi ve species right on the three roads surround-ing Nome, as well as the option to fi sh in the ocean at the mouth of a few rivers all within about 10 miles of Nome.” The combination of accessibility and breathing room makes Nome a real draw for anglers who want to get away from the combat-style, elbow-to-elbow fi shing spots closer to the state’s larger cities. Not only can you have a stream or river all to yourself, but you also can soak in the solitude and beauty of the arctic environment. In the summer, the tundra is dotted with cottongrass and other colorful wildfl owers, and wild muskoxen roam the land freely. It’s a scene that is unmatched in anywhere else in Alaska. And to top it off , the fi shing is productive. “If you get out on a boat on the rivers, you will have almost guaranteed sole access to the ‘hot spots’,” Kosto says. “Besides salmon we also have a very abundant grayling fi shery with many over 20 inches.” According to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, there are 14 rivers in the Nome area that off er productive grayling, pike or salmon fi shing. The best place to catch pike is a bit further off the road system and by boat, guaranteeing and even more “on-your-own” adventure,” Kosto says. “One particular favorite spot up river, off the end of the Kougarok Road, is a place called Alligator Slough, and for good reason,” Kosto adds.

To launch your own fi shing expedition, rent a car and hit the roads. Kosto says there are also ATV and Fat Bike rentals available if you want to stay closer to town for your fi shing. Several guiding companies can help you fi nd the best spots, too, he adds. Check out Nome Outfi tters or Alaska NW Adventures for more on fi shing trips off ered by local Alaskans. There are three directions to consider for a road trip fi shing expedition: the Kougarok, Council and Teller roads. The Nome-Taylor Road is known locally as the Kougarok Road and begins in Nome via

Harvest a bounty of fi sh on a Nome road trip

Angling by automobile

Learn more For more information on fi shing in the Nome area, contact the Alaska Department of Fish and Game’s Nome offi ce in the summer at (907) 443-5796 or in Fairbanks in the off season, (907) 459-720. The Department produced a helpful brochure called Nome Roadside Fishing Guide, which is helpful in identifying areas to target for fi shing. However, it was published more than fi ve years ago, so con-fi rm bag limits and bait restrictions for 2019 before launching a trip. Visit www.adfg.alaska.gov/static-sf/region3/pdfs/nome07.pdf

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Dylan Johnson, lifetime resident of Nome, cleaning fresh Salmon on a family fi shing trip north of Nome.


either Beam Road or Dexter Bypass Road, continues to Dexter, about eight miles from town, and continues north along the Nome River toward Salmon Lake. The road extends about 83 miles before be-coming impassible to two-wheel vehicles. The Council Road begins at Nome and extends roughly 73 miles to the old mining town of Council, on the north bank of the Niukluk River. The road parallels about 35 miles of Norton Sound coastline along the beach berm separating Safety Sound from the sea. It then turns inland and follows the East Fork of the Solomon River, ending on the south bank of the Niukluk River at Council. The Teller Road begins in Nome and parallels the southern coastline of the Seward Peninsula for 72 miles to Teller. It crosses a number of rivers that drain the south side of the Kigluaik Mountains and enter directly into the Bering Sea.

Target grayling as soon as the ice leaves the rivers, Kosto says. Pike can be caught year-round. The salmon runs begin a bit later than in the rest of the state, as the species has to travel so far north from the Pacifi c Ocean. Still, Kosto says, the wait is worth it. If king salmon are your goal, the only rivers

extends roughly 73 miles to the old mining

>> The combination of accessibility and breathing room makes Nome a real draw for anglers who want to get away from the combat-style, elbow-to-elbow fi shing spots closer to the state’s larger cities.

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Ken Hughes, Jr. shows off the Pike he caught along the Kuzitrin River. Although this trip was done by boat up-river from Teller, the river can also be reached by driving north from Nome along the Kougarok Road.

Anglers catch silvers at the Safety Sound Bridge.


Hunters can fi nd success in and around Nome

Subsisting off the landIF YOU’RE A HUNTER, NOME HAS PLENTY

of land on which Alaska’s wildlife roams, and a broad season that ranges from year-round to just a few days. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game’s Game Management Unit 22 includes fi ve sections composed of the land in and around Nome. It consists of the Bering Sea, Norton Sound, Bering Strait, Chukchi Sea, and most of Kotzebue Sound’s drainages – be sure to check the department’s regulations for specifi c locations. It also includes the adjacent islands in the Bering Sea between the mouths of the Goodhope and Pastolik rivers, and all seaward waters and lands within three miles of these coastlines, according to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. Game Man-agement Units 21 and 23 border Nome, and are also accessible from this seaside town. Hunting opportunities include black bear, brown/grizzly, caribou, emperor goose,

moose, muskox, wolf and wolverine. Note that muskox hunting is open to Alaska resi-dents only. As for species, black bear hunting is allowed year-round, but they are rarely seen in the region; however, grizzlies are more common. Caribou are often found along the Kougarok Road, making road-accessible hunt-ing a real possibility for visitors. Moose hunting opens as early as August 1, depending on the region within Game Man-agement Unit 22, and closes as late as March 15, also depending on the region. Some areas have area limits, which can be reached in as little as two days. Be sure to check Fish and Game hunting and trapping regulations, as they change often, depending on the current population levels. www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=-contacts.nome

with king runs that are accessible from the road system are the Fish, Niukluk and Pilgrim rivers, and those runs are small, according to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. Red salmon are popular, too, and can best be caught along in the Pilgrim and Sinuk riv-

ers. Silver salmon arrive in late summer and can be found along the road system as well. Also popular are pink and chum salmon, both of which are plentiful throughout the region. Pink salmon are the most abundant along the road system.


SHOPPING

Nome is an excellent place to shop for Native arts and crafts, as well as paintings and photographs and other souvenirs and collectibles. Many of the state’s most talented native craftsmen and women live in the Norton Sound Region and sell their goods directly to our local shops.

GIFT & COFFEE SHOPS

Trinh’s Floral Shop122 W 1st Avenue(907) 443-6800

Maruskiyas247 Front Street(907) 443-2955

GROCERY AND CONVENIENCE STORESAlaska Commercial Co.Mile 1 Nome Teller Hwy(907) 443-2243

Bonanza Express400 Bering Street(907) 443-5526

Hanson’s/Safeway415 Bering Street(907) 443-5454

Nome Quickstop303 Front Street(907) 443-5461

SPORTING GOODS

Alaska Commercial Co.Mile 1 Nome Teller Hwy(907) 443-2243

Hanson’s/Safeway415 Bering Street(907) 443-5454

Nome Outfi tters120 West 1st Ave(907) 443-2880

RESTAURANTS

Airport Pizzeria406 Bering Street(907) 443-7143

Bering Sea Restaurant305 Front Street(907) 443-4900

Golden China Restaurant231 Front Street(907) 443-2300

Husky Restaurant235 Front Street(907) 443-1300

Mark’s Soap-n-SudsFront Street(907) 443-6943

Milano’s Pizzeria92 Old Federal Building(907) 443-2924

Polar Café204 Front Street(907) 443-5191

Subway135 East Front Street(907) 443-8100Alaskan NW Adventures LLC.,

Box 306 Nome, AK 99762907-443-3971 • Akadventure.com

– BEST ALASKAN – Fishing Camp for Grayling

ALASKA “Native-owned Fishing and Hunting Outfitter and Angler Guide Service”

Tom & BJ’s


NOME SWEETNOME.

We love sharing Alaska with adventurous, new friends like you. We have in-state �ights daily. Let us show

you around our backyard.

Fly smart.Land happy.

Bering Tea Co.310 Bering Street(907) 387-0352

Pingo Bakery308 Bering St.(907) 387-0654

LODGING

BED & BREAKFAST

AKAU: Alaska Gold & ResortMile 3, Glacier Creek Road(760) 500-1329

Bering Sea B&B1103 East 5th Avenue(907) 443-2936

LLB LLC B&B710 East 5th Ave(907) 387-0737

Mai’s Guest House610 Seppala Dr.(907) 443-4113

Sweet Suites of Nome114 W 1st Ave(907) 443-7368

Old Alaska Rooms503 Spinning Rock Rd (Icy View)(907) 304-1333

Red Moose Apartments(907) 304-2191

Shalom B&B812 E Front Street(907) 434-1820

Solomon B&BMile 34 on Nome-Council Hwy(907) 443-2403

Sunshine B&B and Tours204 West D. Street(907) 443-2250


NOME OUTFITTERSYOUR hunting, fishing &

gold mining store

(907) 443-2880 or1-800-680-680-(6663) NOME

COD, credit card & special orders welcome

Mon.-Fri. 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.Sat 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.Closed on Sunday

120 West First Avenue

Trinh’s Floral ShopServing Alaska Statewide!

Fresh Flower Arrangements for All Occasions!Deliveries Available

•120 West 1st Avenue

907.443.6800•

Serving Espresso, Smoothies/Italian Sodas

Tanning Beds - Spray Tanning

trinhsfloralshopnomealaska.com

907-304-9058 • [email protected]

ROAMNOMEqBIRDING • HISTORY• NATURE• DAY/SNOWSHOE HIKES

HOTELS

Aurora Inn302 E Front Street(907) 443-3838

Dredge No. 7 Inn1700 Teller Highway(907) 304-1270

Nugget Inn315 Front Street(907) 443-4189

CHAMBER MEMBERS

AKAU Alaska Gold & Resort, LLC (760) 500-1329 Tourism and Lodging

Alaskan NW Adventures LLC (907) 443-3971 Tourism, fi shing, and birding

Angela’s Art & GiKs (907) 443-7447 Art and GiKs

Anvil Rock Enterprises (907) 304-1215 Real Estate

Arctic Chiropractic Nome (907) 443-7477 Chiropractic wellness and massage therapy

Army National Guard (907) 223-8894, 1-800-GO-GUARD

Bering Straits Development Company (907) 443-5254 General Contractor

Bering Straits EMS (907) 952-1000 EMS Training

Bering Tea & Coff ee, LLC (907) 387-0352 Coff ee shop

Bering Wellness Chiropractic & Massage(907) 434-2121 Chiropractic wellness, massage therapy, day spa

Bonanza Express (907) 304-1256 Convenience Store, gas station

Derek Mining Company, LLC(907) 434-2188 Repair work

DLS Estretics (907) 304-1636 Wax services, face consultations, facials, eyelash extensions, makeup

Farley Mobile, LLC (907) 304-2334 Roadside Assistance

Front Properties, LLC (907) 952-1000 Lease offi ce space in Post Offi ce Building


Limited time only at participating restaurants. Prices and subs included may vary. Additional charge for Extras. Plus applicable tax. No additional discounts or coupons may be applied

ALASKA$7.49 SUB OF THE DAY.™

GET A DIFFERENT SIX-INCH SUB EACH DAY FOR $7.49 IN THE 49TH STATE!

Subway® is a Registered Trademark of Subway IP LLC. ©2019 Subway IP LLC.

East Front Street across from National Guard ArmoryMon-Sat, 8am–11pm and Sunday 9am–10pmCall for takeout orders at 443-8100

Gales Communications and Design (907) 443-3630 Graphic design, layout, editing, writing, publication print preparation

General Refi ning Corp (907) 304-2175 Precious metals refi ner

Gudlief Organization (907) 304-5054 Retail Marijuana

IPOP LLC (907) 434-2987 Placer Mining

JBO Enterprises (907) 434-2112 Rental Properties

Johnson CPA, LLC (907) 443-5565 Accounting, Tax preparation

Kigluaik Endurance Co (907) 304-1797 Bike and snowshoe rentals

Milano’s Pizza (907) 443-2924 Restaurant

Mile 1049 Art Supplies & Framing (907) 434-2483 Art Supplies, framing

MK Supply 443-RENT (907) 443-7368 Renting household cleaning and maintenance equipment

Nome Discovery Tours (907) 304-1215 Tourism

Nome Foreclosure Services (907) 387-0478 Property preservation and inspection services company servicing REO and vacant homes

Nome Machine Works (907) 443-2355 Automotive, truck, heavy equipment service repair, welding and fabrication


Nome Outfi tters(907) 443-2880 Fishing, hunting, and gold mining supplies

Nome Sweet Homes (907) 443-7368 Real Estate

Northrim Bank (800) 478-2265 Community Bank

Pro-West Leasing Apartments Leasing

Qiviut Fever (907) 434-2016 Knitting accessories, retail sales

907-443-2814

Week of Iditarod Tours

Nome Day Tour

Custom Tours Build your own adventure

[email protected]

www.nomediscoverytours.com

Quality Auto Parts (907) 443-2886 NAPA Retail Auto Parts store

Roam Nome (907) 304-9058 Tour guide: Birding, day hikes, snowshoeing

Sew Far North (907) 443-6719 Fabric, yarn, notions

Sitnasuak Native Corporation (907) 387-1200 Alaska Native Village Corporation

Stargate Alaska (907) 304-2175 Satellite TV and internet service

Tagiuk Gold, LLC (907) 947-1264 Gold Mining

TelAlaska (907) 443-5466 Full Service Telecommunications

The Nome Nugget (907) 443-5235 Local Newspaper

Trinh’s Floral Shop (907) 443-6800 Flowers, Espresso, Tanning

Paragliders take off of Anvil Mountain, one of the highest elevations in the area. PHOTO BY KEN HUGHES


From one of our 52 luxurious hotel rooms, you can view the glittering Bering Sea or the stunning Northern Lights. Enjoy full amenities at the Aurora Inn.

aurorainnome.com

907.443.3838

Traditional Alaska Native Drummers and Dancers can be enjoyed an many events throughout the year in Nome.

PHOTO BY ROBIN JOHNSON


CHIROPRACTIC CARE Massage Therapy

Dr. Eric OrtmanArctic Chiropractic NomePO Box 1530, Nome, AK 99762907-443-7477

Traditional blanket toss.PHOTO BY ROBIN JOHNSON


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WELCOME TO NOME!

WE LOOK FORWARD TO SHARING OUR CULTURE AND HOME WITH YOU.

UNITED FOR GROWTH (907) 929-7000 | www.snc.org

From Sitnasuak Native Corporation and our family of companies

WE LOOK FORWARD TO SHARING OUR CULTURE AND HOME WITH YOU.

UNITED FOR GROWTH (907) 929-7000 | www.snc.org

From Sitnasuak Native Corporation and our family of companies

Bonanza ExpressBonanza Fuel

NanuaqFidelity Title Agency of Alaska

Mat-Su Title AgencyMocean

SNC Technical ServicesSitnasuak Applied Technologies


Common Conditions we work with:

DR. JESSICA SPINDEL AND MICHAEL BURNETT, LMT309 Bering St. Nome, AK 99762 | 907-443-6827

Services:Chiropractic Adjustments

Kinesion Taping

Active Rehabilitation

Trigger Point Therapy

Medical Massage Therapy

Hot Stone Massage

Deep Tissue Massage

Sports Massage

Prenatal Massage

facebook: www.facebook.com/bwellak

Arm and Leg PainShoulder issuesLeg discomfortSciaticaScoliosisWhiplash

Bering Wellness Center Chiropractic & Massage Therapy

Locally owned and operated. Accepting most major medical insurances

Neck PainBack PainHeadacheLow back painMigrainesSports InjuriesJoint Pain

In 1905 a fi re swept through downtown Nome, destroying almost all businesses. In 1934, another fi re destroyed everything ineleven blocks—including much of Nome’s historic gold rush business district—and left 250 residents homeless. In 1937 the Nome Volunteer Fire Department was es-tablished and has remained all volunteers, fi ghting fi res in Nome and surrounding villages for more than 80 years. The Nome Volunteer Fire Department participates in many community events throughout the year, and provide toys, ice cream, prizes and parade rides.

PHOTOS BY ROBIN JOHNSON


Gold Mining Adventure Camp


1700 Teller Highway, Nome, Alaska 99762 907.304.1270 Fax 907.443.5851www.dredge7inn.com // [email protected]

Dredge INNee IN

THE DREDGE NO 7 INN is a New, State-of-the-Art Inn with a Historical

Turn of the Century Ambiance. •

The Dredge is owned and operated by a mining family with three generations of Nome Alaska mining ties.

•All suites have Kitchen/Kitchenettes, Private Bath,

TV, plus Free WI-FI.

Sluicebox

THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE

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